Sleeping bags

[trophydave]

O.K. this may be a dumb question,but when it comes to sleeping bags,do two 2 season bags inside each other make a four season one,or even anything close?I have done loads of summer camping and have two lightweight bags plus a fleece bag liner.I am going to do t one night camping in Wales in February and do not really want to buy a four season bag for just one night.

Regards Dave

[fireboomer]

I have used this trick and it worked. But it was a 3-season bag with a summerbag inside. Considering you will also use a fleece liner you'll be probably ok.

Why don't you try it out? Find a restuarant, shop or if needed a butcher. They have big freezers, ideal to test out your sleepingbag. All you do is get in there, try to fall asleep and see if you wake up warm 4 hours later. If so, you got it.

There is more background info on wintercamping here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...tercamping.php

Lots of fun!

Fireboomer

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http://users.pandora.be/pieter.maes2/

[newfie]

yes, you will definitely have a much warmer situation, best to lay down a sheet of plastic first to stop the damp. then wear long underwear, with wool socks and a wollen cap. very toasty .

[fireboomer]

Newfie,

Right on about the ground insulation and the groud sheet.
But I have to disagree on the socks and the long underwear. These will slow down the heating of the sleepingbag and the air between you and the sleepingbag.
Also they will make bloodflow less efficient and so make it harder for your body to maintain the warmth in the sleepingbag. Sock that even slightly tight can result in cold feet during the night. I used to make a giant mitten out of a fleece and put my feet in that. But then again, the next day you might have to wear a smelly fleece...

Before a sleepinbag feels warm your body has to heat it up with bodyheat. The more direct contact the more efficient this happen.
The slower this proces happens the more time and energy your body needs to heat the whole thing up. Wich makes changes higher that you might have a cold night.




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http://users.pandora.be/pieter.maes2/

[BEER MONSTER]

Dave,if its only for one night then you should have loads of extra space on your bike,so bring extra clothes and if you get cold put on some kit.Ive done a few winter rallys and also do a lot of camping in winter up here in Scotland and it works for me.Only downside is in the morning when u get up its freezing coz you aint got no more gear to wear coz you've got it on.

[Windwalker]

I have back packed, horse packed and bike packed in all kinds of weather in all kinds of terrain in ever season of the year. This is the bedroll I've used for years under all conditions sleeping out at -35 degrees. I went down to the local army surplus store and bought a used sleeping bag set used by the Canadian Army. The set consisted of 2 eiderdown mummy bags and a felt type inner cloth liner. I just use one bag with liner in the summer. As far as I'm concerned,, eiderdown is the only way to go. It's light weight, holds the heat and is also cool in the summer. If the bag gets wet it will dry fast. Man has tried to make many different materials to fill sleeping bags but mother nature does it best.


The bags and liner fit and tie into each other to make one very warm bag. You can also get a water proof outer bag that the sleeping bags fits into and acts as a ground sheet. Instead of using their outer bag which was made up off a more rubbery type material. I made one up myself by purchasing a used 8x10 army style tarpaulin ( no holes ). The material weight of this type of tarpaulin is not that heavy or thick. The army type tarpaulin has already been treated with a water proofing oil substance. The tarp although water proof, will also breath so you won't build up condensation once your inside all the bags.

I took the tarp down to an upholstery shop and got them to make the outer bag. I used snap buttons up and around 2/3 of one side of the bag to secure it closed. You could also use a zipper if you prefer. I also got them to sew a little flap pouch inside at the top of the bag to store a small pillow or spare set of cloths. Now the most important item I added inside this bedroll was an air mattress. The secret to keeping warm, dry or cool is to get off the ground. I have tried every new fancy camping mattress on the market but you can't beat the good old blow up air mattress. They're cheap, takes up the least amount of space, gives the greatest height off the ground and if you happen to camp by a lake or stream you got a boat.

When my bedroll is complete, I use a small length of cord to keep it either rolled up or folded up then secure it to the bike with bungee cords. It is water proof and all the contents are protected from the weather. The small length of cord used to tie the bedroll up sure come in handy while camping. I've thrown this bedroll down in the mud, wet grass and used it without a tent in the rain. Climbed in snapped the bag closed and was dry and warm as toast.

From time to time the outer bag needs to be treated with a water proof compound. The folks from Australia who make the Aussie Outback coats and pants make a very good water proof compound. If you can get a hold of some bee's wax and good quality leather oil. Heat up both items mixed them together, apply over the outer bag for the same effect. Total cost of my complete bedroll was 60 dollars and it weighs about 15 lbs. I'll put it up against any sleeping bag any where.

As a final note ... checkout what your military uses in your country and adapt it to your own personal use.

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Murphy

[This message has been edited by Windwalker (edited 13 July 2003).]

[trophydave]

Thanks for the advice everyone.As it turned out the trip to the Dragon Rally was not cold,but it was very wet and windy.I intend going next year so we shall have to see what the weather is like then.

Cheers Dave